2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA SLE CONVERTIBLE

By Tom Hagin
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price $ 30,525
Price As Tested $ 31,409
Engine Type DOHC 24-valve 3.0 Liter V6 w/SMFI*
Engine Size 183 cid/2995 cc
Horsepower 198 @ 5300 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 212 @ 4400 RPM
Wheelbase/Width/Length 105.1"/71.1"/191.5"
Transmission Four-speed automatic
Curb Weight 3515 pounds
Fuel Capacity 18.5 gallons
Tires (F/R) P205/60R16
Brakes (F/R) Disc (ABS)/disc (ABS)
Drive Train Front-engine/front-wheel-drive
Vehicle Type Four-passenger/two-door
Domestic Content N/A
Coefficient of Drag (Cd.) N/A
PERFORMANCE
EPA Economy, miles per gallon
city/highway/average 19/26/24
0-60 MPH 8.5 seconds
1/4 (E.T.) 17.0 seconds @ 83.5 mph
Top-speed 125 mph
* Sequential multi-point fuel injection
The Toyota Camry Solara appeared in late 1998 as a replacement to
the two-door Camry SE. Soon after, custom automotive fabricator
American Sunroof Company (ASC) sliced off the roof and added a power
soft top to make the Solara Convertible. Available in SE four cylinder,
SE V6 and as our tester for this week, the top-line SLE V6, Solara
Convertible is an excellent compliment to Toyota's best-selling Camry line.
OUTSIDE - Toyota believes that there is still a market, albeit a
small one, for personal luxury coupes and convertibles. Several
automakers recently discontinued their versions, but the market says
that many Baby Boomers continue to wax nostalgic for big, long-hooded
sporty cars, but, in Toyota's case, aren't ready to abandon
practicality. Solara's styling is unique, with its strong character
lines and a wide, aggressive rear end, it's more expressive than a
Camry. The nose is pointed and somewhat similar to its competitors, but
its forward-raked tail with a small rear spoiler displays character.
For 2002, exterior changes such as a new grille, front and rear
fascias, fog lamps and four-bulb headlamps have freshened the
three-year-old design. Also, new wheel covers for the SE model and
revised alloy wheels for the SLE further enhance its style. Body fit
and finish, with perfectly uniform panel gaps and impeccable paint,
follow the Toyota tradition. The lines of the Solara stream along its
sides then melt into polished curves while along its flanks, two
character lines break its vertical plane. The door handles, body
moldings, outside mirrors and rear mudguards are all body-color. The
power-folding top with a large glass rear window are insulated and the
rear window also comes with a timed defogger. And at nearly nine cubic feet, trunk space is ample.

INSIDE - Solara feels different from the Camry from the moment you
sit in the driver's seat. The dual front bucket seats offer good lumbar
and thigh support, while optional dual side airbags are neatly tucked
into the outboard sides of the front seats. The dashboard is
cockpit-style and flows into the door panels, which are accented by a
strip of tasteful faux wood trim. New for 2002 are unique upholstery
fabric and lighter grain wood trim that has now been applied to the
surround of the gearshift stalk. Also new are optional heated seats,
which will no doubt come in handy for cool weather, top-down motoring.
Opening the long, heavy doors can be a chore for some, but the extra
length gives easier access to the rear seat, which offers exceptional
legroom, as long as the front passengers aren't in the full aft
position. The rear seat gives adequate lumbar support, but seemed to be
raked too far forward for truly comfortable long-distance trips. The
deep center console, sizable glove box and oversized door map pockets
add to the car's utility. There's even a small pullout tray in the
center stack to hold toll and parking coins. The dash is populated by a
legible, well-lit cluster of three gauges, with the speedometer in the
center, tachometer to the left and the fuel gauge and water temperature
on the right. The stereo buttons are big and easy to find with minimal
distraction, and the automatic climate control system of the SLE model
is easy enough to use, but it could use larger buttons. We didn't like
the fact that the convertible top button, located deep in the center
console ahead of the shifter, was hard to access. The SLE model's
standard leather is supple and perfectly tailored, and is applied
tastefully to the steering wheel and shift knob. Adding to its utility,
the rear seat folds flat to expand the trunk. Folding the top is a
fairly simple process of unlocking a couple of latches and pressing the
button. Once in its well, there is a boot cover that takes some
practice to install quickly but looks great when it's in place.

ON THE ROAD - Solara is powered by a 3.0-liter dual overhead-cam
V6 engine. It produces 198 horsepower and 212 lb-ft of torque. The base
SE model uses a new, 157-horsepower four cylinder unit which replaces
the previous 132-horse version. From a standing start, Solara V6
automatic manages 0-60 mph acceleration runs in the low 7-second range,
while its silky-smooth performance and good off-line torque are far
superior to any in its class. Full steam in the Solara comes in short
order, and with its strong torque rating, the V6 delivers a steady flow
of acceleration. Power, however, is noticeably reduced in the mid rpm
range, where it quickly loses steam. During idle, the driver feels
almost no vibration through the steering wheel, seats or floorboard,
and the only hint the car is running comes as a faint resonance in the
gas pedal. Pick up steam and that silky smooth quality remains. The
four-speed automatic, which most Solara buyers will choose, takes full
advantage of that power. Downshifts are as immediate as a jab at the
gas pedal, and passing maneuvers are a breeze.
BEHIND THE WHEEL - Solara is built on the same 105-inch wheelbase
as the Camry, although the ASC-modified chassis features structural
reinforcements to assist in eliminating twist. Its basic handling
characteristics exhibit understeer, which is true for many front-wheel
drive cars, even those without high-performance intentions. It has
ample body roll, or lean through the corners, but it's no sports car.
Considerable squat under brisk acceleration and abundant nose-dive
during hard braking is another unpleasant trait, but can be rectified
with aftermarket upgrades. Unfortunately, Solara's suspension travel
ran out quickly. On the highway, Solara felt like a large car, floating
over highway expansion joints and providing occupants a soft and supple
ride. Fortunately, the extra bracing added by ASC allows its driver to
cross railroad tracks with a responsive thump and little or no cowl
shake. The steering is progressive and communicative, more so than that
of a Camry, and it's a bit sharper and quick enough to keep up with
rapid direction changes. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard issue on
the SLE (optional on the lower level SE), providing powerful, well-
controlled stops from high speed. Mild pedal pulse, accompanied by
typical anti-lock brake system ratcheting sounds, let you know the ABS
system is working.
SAFETY - Dual dashboard airbags, ABS, front seat belt
pre-tensioners and side-impact door beams are standard; dual
side-impact airbags and traction control are optional.
OPTIONS - Side-impact airbags, $250; carpet/cargo mat set, $179.